Cornell University Campus,
Ithaca, NY

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Cornell Connection Activates Ithaca, Central New York Business Journal, July 2006
IDP Touts Expansions on The Commons, Change in Downtown Ithaca called Healthy, Ithaca Journal, Apr 11, 2006
Kilpatrick's Publick House Opens at Seneca Place, Mar 16, 2006
$400K Fund to Promote Nanotech in Tompkins, Ithaca Journal, Sep 13, 2005
Town-gown cooperation praised at city ceremony, Ithaca Journal, Jul 27, 2005
City's Newest Address Opens Tall and Proud, Ithaca Journal, Jul 26, 2005

Real Estate Taxes

Cornell is one of the largest tax payers in Tompkins County. During 2006, over $1.9 million in real estate taxes will be paid on Cornell real estate.

Only university-owned land and buildings that used for educational purposes are tax exempt. Many properties managed by the Real Estate Department pay property taxes, including the Business & Technology Park, the East Hill Plaza Shopping Center and Seneca Place in downtown Ithaca.

Questions about Cornell's real estate taxes and other financial contributions to the community should be directed to John Gutenberger, phone 607.255.4909.

Jobs

Cornell's real estate projects help to strengthen the community by creating jobs. Companies in the Tech Park employ about 1,600 persons with an annual payroll of about $57 million being put into local economy. In addition to providing space for over 400 employees in the heart of downtown, Seneca Place itself will create over 50 new jobs.

Economic Development

Part of the Real Estate Department's mission is to help "keep Ithaca a great place to live". A strong, vibrant Ithaca is very important to Cornell as it:

Competes in attracting students;
Competes in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff;
Maintains a strong and happy workforce;
Encourages alumni to visit Ithaca and develop strong ties to Cornell; and,
Promotes the general reputation of the University.

Cornell University Real Estate is a strong partner in the following local economic development organizations:

Questions about the Real Estate Department's economic development activities should be directed to Tom LiVigne, phone 607.266.7871.

Community-wide Impact

Ithaca is a small community. Economic growth isn’t compartmentalized by municipal boundaries. For instance, even though the Tech Park is in the Village of Lansing, the tax revenues are shared by community:

67% goes to schools
19% goes to the County
Village of Lansing keeps only 6%

Likewise, even though its located outside the heart of the City, Tech Park employees also support downtown:

74% shop downtown
85% go out to dinner downtown
87% use downtown services (dry cleaning, auto repair, etc.)
66% go downtown for entertainment (theater, movies, music)